You ask for questions and … crickets. Nothing. Nada. Where did you go wrong? It could be the way you asked, or even when you asked. Try these 5 strategies and you should get more engagement, including questions.

Do you ever ramble, go off on tangents, or provide far too much detail or background about your subject? It’s easy to do, and often causes you to lose your audience. Read four quick tips that will help you plan and execute a more concise presentation each time.

If you have ever noticed yourself fading into the woodwork just when you need to bring forth your best, you may need to ramp up your power for better results. Use these techniques if you are getting feedback that indicates you are coming across as “too soft” or “not forceful enough.” 

Your presentation is technical. The topic is complex. You are afraid your audience will be confused or bored. Take some time to figure out ways to make it more palatable. Clearer. More interesting. Here are some ideas to start with.

While sitting in a meeting, you are suddenly asked for a quick update on your current project. You are giving a presentation on X and you are asked a question about Y. Someone raises an objection you didn’t see coming. While it’s certainly not pleasant to be caught in these situations, here are some tips so the next time you are caught off guard you can think fast and save the day.

Live or virtual, to be an effective speaker you need a clear and compelling message for each presentation. Here is a quick reminder how to create a clear compelling message for your very next meeting, presentation, or sales pitch.

You get a difficult question. Quick, before you answer, think. What is the question asking for? Facts or opinions? Is it a challenge or an objection? Does it contain assumptions? Are there strong emotions at play? When you know the type of question you are being asked, you’ll do a better job of answering it.

Whether it is a formal proposal, a team meeting, or a training event, most of the time when we speak we have more content than time. If you feel rushed or sometimes run out of time, read on for better time management.

Similar to flying an airplane, the most critical parts of a presentation are the takeoff and landing. In presentations, the last minute is when you “land” your message. Will the audience remember what you said? Will they take action? Or will they be glad it is over and file out of the room in relief? Here is how to make the most of your endings.  

Quick, what do you say when you get a tough question? Odds are pretty good that when you feel stumped, you will respond with a quick, "That's a good question." Many people respond that way, but you'll notice a trained professional rarely does. Why not? Read on for six good reasons to avoid this phrase.